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Table 3 Neuroendocrine function in patients with systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases

From: Experimental stress in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a review of psychophysiological stress responses

Parameter

Studies & patients (N)

Baseline patient vs. control

Stress reactivity within patients

Stress reactivity patients vs. controls

ACTH

[38] 29 RA vs. 30 HC

RA:

No difference [34, 38, 41]

RA:

Increase [34, 41]

RA:

No difference [34, 38, 41]

 

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

   

Not reported [38]

  
 

[41] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

      

Cortisol

[30] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

RA:

No difference [34, 35, 39, 41, 42]

RA:

Decrease [34, 35, 42]

RA:

No difference [30, 34, 39, 41, 42]

 

[38] 29 RA vs. 30 HC

 

Altered (↑) [30, 38]

 

Change [30]

 

Altered (↓) [35, 38]

 

[39] 19 RA vs. 21 HC

 

No difference [35]

 

Increase [39, 41]

 

No difference [44]

 

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

SLE:

Altered (↓) [44]

SLE:

Decrease [35]

SLE:

Altered (↓) [35]

 

[41] 21 RA vs. 20 HC

   

No response [44]

  
 

[42] 18 RA vs. 14 HC

      
 

[35] 7 RA, 6 SLE vs. 10 HC

      
 

[44] 14 SLE vs. 14 HC, 10 HC

      

Growth hormone (GH)

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

Increase

RA:

No difference

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)

[34] 19 RA vs. 14 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

No response

RA:

No difference

Prolactin

[35] 7 RA, 6 SLE vs. 10 HC

RA:

No difference

RA:

No response

RA:

Altered (↓)

  

SLE:

No difference

SLE:

No response

SLE:

Altered (↓)

  1. ↑ = altered response pattern is more pronounced compared to a control group; ↓ = altered response pattern is diminished compared to a control group;
  2. RA = rheumatoid arthritis, SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus, HC = healthy controls, ACTH = adrenocorticotropin hormone,